4 Essential Tips for Transitioning from High School to College

If you are headed off to college in the fall, you are probably balancing the excitement that high school is over and the excitement (and maybe apprehension) that college is about to begin! First things first, your emotions are common – most graduates are off living their best summer lives, while constantly remembering that big changes are on their way! The transition from high school to college is certainly a major milestone in life, and also one that is not to be overlooked! Adjusting to college is not a walk in the park – life is about to become drastically different! We don’t want you to fall into a statistic of college drop outs, so take some time to read our advice on how to navigate the transition from high school to college. 1. Attend Orientation If you have the opportunity to attend a freshman orientation, this experience will be hugely helpful in getting yourself acquainted with your new home and new peers. An orientation may also give you the opportunity to see where you will be living, so you can prepare appropriately for your new room. You may also choose your courses and begin to prepare for the rigors of college academics. You’ll also get a little taste of living independently in your new community! Take time to soak all of this in and use your summer months to prepare for these new changes. 2. Prioritize Organization You’re going to be living on your own! Woo! While this newfound freedom is probably one of the things you’re most excited about, also remember that now you are completely responsible for organizing your life and your time. Explore new organization techniques to keep you on top of your responsibilities when school begins. 3. Identify Campus Resources College campuses are stacked with resources for students. There are gyms, art studios, counseling offices, tutoring services, career counselors, resume editors†¦ the list goes on and on! Your tuition dollars will likely cover your access to most of these things, so take advantage of them! These resources will help you make the most of your collegiate experience and will be immensely helpful as you make the transition from high school to college. 4. Get Ready for a Roommate! Maybe you grew up sharing a room with a sibling, or maybe you’ve had a room all to yourself. Either way, things are about to change! Most students will end up living in close quarters with a stranger, and that is a very pivotal experience in your transition from high school to college. When you receive information about your roommate, don’t hesitate to reach out and get to know them! The more you can communicate before starting school, the easier it will be to live together as roommates. Talk openly about respecting boundaries, set expectations for your shared space together and make a plan for tackling the first year!